At the heart of local Renee Rauso-Woodward’s paintings are … hearts!
“The theme of my work is around the heart—heartache, heartbreak and redemption,” she said. “I deal with issues of the heart and secrets of the heart.”
Heartbreak and heartache have certainly played a part in her life. She’s been through a tough divorce; the tragic death of her son when he was only 91 days old; being a single mom to her daughter; and more. Art is cathartic for her, especially in times of personal crisis.
“I find painting helps me focus my mind,” Rauso-Woodward said. “(It helps me) pick myself up time and time again and just keep going.”
Viewers and buyers of her work also experience the emotional impact of these pastel-colored gouache and acrylic paintings, which also incorporate tiny words. Ellen Pirosh, who has bought one of her paintings, said of Rauso-Woodward’s works: “They might look simple, but they represent so much more. In my life, I have experienced extreme pain and loss, but Renee’s paintings remind me to keep going. After all, love and loss are inevitable in life, but our heart keeps beating.”
Isabella Garcia is the gallery and event coordinator at the Old Town Artisan Studios, where Woodword’s paintings will be on display through May.
“Her art is impressive,” Garcia said about Rauso-Woodward. “She uses sweeping brush strokes that remind me of German expressionists of the early 1900s that conveyed their emotional experiences.”
The tiny words embedded in Rauso-Woodward’s work come from a lifelong love of magazines.
“I buy tons of them (magazines), look at the headlines, choose one that moves me, then shorten it,” she said. “I like to use words to convey what transpires between the heart and the birds.”
Yes, birds are often featured in her art along with the hearts; they symbolize the importance of conscious and subconscious knowledge, she said. The hearts themselves are a symbol that she has been drawing since childhood.
“All your emotions run through your heart. It rules your body, your affections, your emotions,” she said.
Her artworks remain unframed, she said, “because I don’t like to limit my artwork to a confined frame.”
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Woodward moved to the desert 32 years ago, when she got her first job as a graphic designer for Palm Springs Life.
“I love the palm trees and mountains. The music scene here is second to none; (I also love) the museums, parks, the lifestyle,” she said.
Renee Rauso-Woodward’s works will be on display through May at Old Town Artisan Studios, 78046 Calle Barcelona, in La Quinta. Visit oldtownartisanstudios.org for more information.
